Degree in psychology
The study of psychology is structured differently at the various German universities, but basically follows the guidelines that have been adopted by the German Society for Psychology as framework examination regulations. The Swiss universities that offer psychology courses also generally follow these recommendations.
In addition, many psychological institutes have their own and mostly historically determined focuses, which are emphasized more strongly in research and teaching.
Content
Basic subjects
On the one hand, psychology deals with basic scientific questions that are the subject of the so-called basic subjects of the course. As a rule, these subjects are taught in the bachelor's degree. The basic subjects include methodology , general psychology , social psychology , differential and personality psychology , developmental psychology and biopsychology .
Application subjects
In addition to the basic subjects, psychology also deals with practical problems and questions from the numerous fields of application that are primarily the content of the applied subjects within the course. The application subjects that can be studied at a university differ greatly from university to university. The three most extensive subjects are clinical psychology and psychotherapy , industrial and organizational psychology and educational psychology . In addition, method subjects such as psychological diagnostics and evaluation and research methods , as well as neuropsychology , media psychology , legal psychology and business psychology are offered.
degrees
The study of psychology was harmonized as part of the Bologna reform with regard to the courses and degrees in Germany and Switzerland; only the bachelor's and master's degrees are acquired. The previous diploma (in Switzerland corresponds to the licentiate , mostly lic. Phil.) Or the master’s degree are no longer offered.
Bachelor
The Bachelor's degree is not uniformly regulated at German universities (academic degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology). For this reason, the following is a study program that follows the requirements of the German Society for Psychology , which is the case at most universities. The course of study is six semesters. During these three years a total of 180 ECTS points must be achieved in various modules. There are the compulsory subjects Introduction, Statistics , empirical-scientific work (including empirical-experimental internship) and diagnostics . In addition, the basic subjects of general psychology , biopsychology , developmental psychology , differential and personality psychology and social psychology are taught with up to 48 ECTS points, as well as the application subjects that are represented differently at the universities with up to 48 ECTS points. In addition, internships must be completed and a Bachelor thesis must be written. Participation in psychological studies is also compulsory.
In addition, some universities offer a minor in psychology. Some of these may even be admission-free and provide an insight into selected areas of psychology, but do not entitle you to a postgraduate master’s degree.
master
Most German and Swiss universities offer Master’s degrees for various specializations in psychology (academic degree: Master of Science in Psychology). The requirements of the German Society for Psychology provide for three models for the standard qualification : an application-oriented master's degree, a basic-oriented master's degree and a “mixed form”.
diploma
The diploma (academic degree awarded: Diplom-Psychologist: Dipl.-Psych.) Was awarded before the conversion of the German universities in the course of the Bologna Process .
The basic course conveyed the basics and ended with the completion of the intermediate diploma , an intermediate examination. In the main course, which was usually started after completing the intermediate diploma, in addition to the method subjects, the application subjects were also taught. In addition, the German Society for Psychology required the study of a non-psychological elective subject, as well as a so-called research-oriented specialization, which included the specialization of a basic subject from the basic course. For this purpose, internships had to be completed and a thesis had to be written. The standard period of study from commencement of studies to graduation was nine semesters, at some universities ten semesters. However, this has not been achieved empirically. On average, you studied eleven to 15 semesters to get your diploma. The BDP indicates an average study duration of 12.6 semesters.
Magister
Before the Bologna switch, psychology could also be taken as a minor or a second major in a master’s degree in the humanities or social sciences at many universities. However, this did not entitle you to use the professional title “ psychologist ” after completing your studies . According to a ruling by the Federal Court of Justice in 1985 or according to legal commentaries, this job title is associated with at least five years of university studies with a major in psychology, ie it is reserved for graduate psychologists and master psychologists.
Admission to Studies
The allocation of study places for Bachelor and Master study places is subject to the numerus clausus and the guidelines of the universities. The attempt to use an aptitude test for psychology at several universities for admission to studies has so far failed, mainly for cost reasons.
In Austria, however, an aptitude test has been carried out as an admission restriction for many years. This explains the extremely high number of applicants from Germany, who hope for admission even if they have a poor Abitur. The proportion of German applicants in Salzburg was sometimes over 70 percent. Knowledge that is required for the actual course of study is particularly relevant to the examination. Furthermore, good English skills and logical thinking skills are required.
Web links
- Study of psychology on the website of the DGPs
- Information for studying psychology on the website of the Leibniz Center for Psychological Information and Documentation (ZPID).
- Psychology Student Councils Conference The Psychology Student Councils Conference ( Bundesfachschaftentagung ) is an association of all psychological student councils in Germany and represents the interests of all German psychology students. It serves u. a. as a networking and information platform and includes topics about psychology studies, universities, professional fields, statements and much more
- A self-test for prospective students offered by the University of Zurich and the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
- Psychology Admission Procedure in Austria provides information about the admission procedure for studying psychology in Austria
Individual evidence
- ↑ Studying Psychology ( Memento of the original from September 15, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. on dgps.de
- ↑ Judgment of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH 1985 AZ: I ZR 147/83) Archived copy ( memento of the original from December 30, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ The last known NC values for psychology. In: Studis-Online. Retrieved January 12, 2018 .
- ↑ 4,900 applicants: Continue to study psychology. DiePresse.com , August 21, 2012, accessed February 6, 2013 .
